http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/ en tutor2u.net Copyright 2012 2012-02-12T11:47:19+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss4-research-theme-merger-and-takeover-egg-heads http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss4-research-theme-merger-and-takeover-egg-heads#When:16:39:18Z I often find that one of the key challenges with the research theme is finding ways to engage the students with the material in lessons and keeping them motivated and interested in the theme until the Summer. With this in mind, I will be blogging about some strategies that I have successfully used in the past to engage the students and applying them to the new theme, Mergers and Takeovers. BUSS4 RESEARCH, BUSS4 2012 - M&A, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS4, TEACHING BUSINESS, 2012-02-10T16:39:18+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/video-resource-do-bonuses-work-as-an-incentive-for-better-performance http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/video-resource-do-bonuses-work-as-an-incentive-for-better-performance#When:12:22:55Z A timely short video here from the BBC looks at the way that a simple activity-related bonus improves productivity in a small drilling business.  Employees and management seem happy at D-Drill.  But, can the use of much larger-scale bonuses in financial services be justified in the same way?  A great starting point for discussion with students… BUSINESS THEMES, Human Resource Management, Operations Management, TEACHING BUSINESS, Video Case Studies, 2012-02-10T12:22:55+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-history-of-apples-product-innovation-in-30-seconds http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-history-of-apples-product-innovation-in-30-seconds#When:12:01:04Z Short and sweet - this 30 second video that showcases the progression of Apple’s product portfolio. A journey that takes us from the very first Apple prototype computer through to the iPad. Great for illustrating the process of product innovation.  You can always pause the video (if you’re quick) to look at the individual products. BUSINESS THEMES, Business & Technology, TEACHING BUSINESS, Video Case Studies, 2012-02-10T12:01:04+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/starter-activity-contingency-planning-japanese-style http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/starter-activity-contingency-planning-japanese-style#When:21:58:24Z When it comes to contingency planning, no-one does it better than Japan.  And here are two humorous videos that demonstrate the extents to which you can go to prepare for risky events… BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, TEACHING BUSINESS, Video Case Studies, 2012-02-09T21:58:24+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-9-february-2012 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-9-february-2012#When:11:36:43Z The 9 February 2012 edition of The Biz Quiz is now available.  Good luck everyone! Launch the Biz Quiz - 9 February 2012 Download printable version (pdf) TEACHING BUSINESS, Biz Quiz, 2012-02-09T11:36:43+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/btec-first-in-business-new-2012-specification-cpd-course http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/btec-first-in-business-new-2012-specification-cpd-course#When:14:16:33Z A diary date here for all colleagues teaching the new BTEC First in Business specification - Friday 15 June 2012.  tutor2u is running a special CPD course at the amazing Drayton Manor Theme Park focused on the new requirements for the 2012 specification (for first teaching from September 2012).  We’ll look at the new methods of assessment and provide guidance on resourcing and organising the other new units too.  We’ll also have some guest speakers from Drayton Manor - a great case study to use for BTEC First. Places are strictly limited. Please complete this provisional booking form to grab some places before they all go… EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Business, TEACHING BUSINESS, 2012-02-08T14:16:33+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/hod-opportunity-business-studies-economics-at-city-of-london-freemens-surre http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/hod-opportunity-business-studies-economics-at-city-of-london-freemens-surre#When:20:32:12Z Superb HOD opportunities like this don;t come around very often.  Good luck to everyone who applies for this role to join the lovely team at COLF. TEACHING BUSINESS, Teaching Vacancies, 2012-02-05T20:32:12+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/cadburys-law-should-uk-firms-be-protected-from-takeover http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/cadburys-law-should-uk-firms-be-protected-from-takeover#When:19:56:15Z Back in 2010, the effect of the Kraft takeover of Cadbury’s brought business into the realms of politics as the unhappiness felt by some stakeholders spilled directly into the UK’s General Election. One proposed response from the Labour Party was the so-called Cadbury’s Law, whereby new legislation would attempt to protect UK firms from takeover by foreign companies.  Was this a good idea? BUSS4 RESEARCH, BUSS4 2012 - M&A, BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, TEACHING BUSINESS, Video Case Studies, 2012-02-02T19:56:15+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-2-february-2012 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-2-february-2012#When:11:08:22Z Another 10 questions on the business news here…quite easy this week; your quizmaster expects you to get at least 7 out of ten Launch The Biz Quiz - 2 February 2012 Download printable version TEACHING BUSINESS, Biz Quiz, 2012-02-02T11:08:22+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/leadership-howard-schultz-importance-of-leading-an-innovative-culture http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/leadership-howard-schultz-importance-of-leading-an-innovative-culture#When:21:53:39Z I’m a big fan of Starbucks as a case study for business students which provides some great examples of linkages between the different aspects of business strategy.  In this clip from a recent business conference (London 2011), Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz discusses the importance of innovation in a competitive environment where businesses that stand still face defeat. BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Leadership & Culture, Marketing, TEACHING BUSINESS, Video Case Studies, 2012-01-29T21:53:39+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/leadership-what-is-the-best-leadership-style-it-depends-on-the-situation http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/leadership-what-is-the-best-leadership-style-it-depends-on-the-situation#When:20:45:39Z A somewhat different and more formal feel to this video, but it makes an effective classroom resource nonetheless.  It introduces an important concept relating to leadership - that of “situational leadership”. BUSINESS THEMES, Leadership & Culture, TEACHING BUSINESS, Video Case Studies, 2012-01-29T20:45:39+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/tough-decisions http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/tough-decisions#When:20:44:02Z Here is a gem of an interview with Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks. In this short (3 minute) clip he discusses the difficult decisions he had to make about the business when he returned as CEO, including closing stores and making staff redundant. One of the success stories of the 1990s, Starbucks had grown too big and lacked clear focus. Excellent material to generate discussion on leadership, management, motivation, marketing, strategy, retrenchment and more. BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Leadership & Culture, TEACHING BUSINESS, Video Case Studies, 2012-01-29T20:44:02+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/manufacturing-strategy-is-china-losing-its-competitiveness http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/manufacturing-strategy-is-china-losing-its-competitiveness#When:16:43:41Z Is China still a competitive location for overseas manufacturing? Certainly the nature of manufacturing in China is chaining rapidly, as this 4 minute video from the Financial Times explains.  It features European firms that moved their production to China several years ago.  However, as wages in China have risen rapidly in recent years, it becomes less cost-effective to make low value-added products in China. BUSINESS THEMES, Business Strategy, Emerging Markets, International Business, Operations Management, TEACHING BUSINESS, Video Case Studies, 2012-01-29T16:43:41+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/technology-in-action-inside-the-transparent-factory http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/technology-in-action-inside-the-transparent-factory#When:22:17:17Z What a stunning video that is likely to become a permanent fixture on the schemes of work for many colleagues. This 6 minute video gives you a guided tour of VW’s “transparent factory”.  Wow! BUSINESS THEMES, Business & Technology, Operations Management, TEACHING BUSINESS, Video Case Studies, 2012-01-27T22:17:17+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-26-january-2012 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-26-january-2012#When:12:24:02Z The latest edition of the Biz Quiz is here: Launch The Biz Quiz - Interactive version Download printable version TEACHING BUSINESS, Biz Quiz, 2012-01-26T12:24:02+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/our-enterprise-challenge-with-some-exam-skills-for-good-measure http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/our-enterprise-challenge-with-some-exam-skills-for-good-measure#When:10:57:58Z This week, Graham Prior (AKA ”Lord Sutch”) and I are putting the finishing touches to the Priestley College Business Challenge Event 2012.  It is the fourth year we have been invited to Priestley College to deliver a fun but challenging event to their AS students, who have just sat their F291 unit exam. EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, TEACHING BUSINESS, 2012-01-25T10:57:58+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-20-january-2012 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-20-january-2012#When:09:42:26Z The latest edition of the Biz Quiz is here!  A little easier this week - so no excuses if you get 6 or less out of ten   Let us know how you get on by reporting your score on Twitter! Launch the Biz Quiz 20 January 2012 Download printable version TEACHING BUSINESS, Biz Quiz, 2012-01-19T09:42:26+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-budget-basket http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-budget-basket#When:07:30:36Z A while ago, I blogged about a really good activity for helping to teach budgets. It was called the wedding planner and can be found here. However, this is another similiar activity that can also be used to help teach the concept of budgets. BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, TEACHING BUSINESS, Starters & Plenaries, 2012-01-18T07:30:36+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-15-january-2012 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/the-biz-quiz-15-january-2012#When:10:23:54Z The Biz Quiz returns from its festive and exam break with the first edition of 2012: Launch the Biz Quiz - 15 January 2012 Download printable version (pdf) TEACHING BUSINESS, Biz Quiz, 2012-01-15T10:23:54+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/making-finance-fun-2012-cpd-course-london http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/making-finance-fun-2012-cpd-course-london#When:10:29:39Z First details here of a new CPD course from the tutor2u team, which we’re running for the first time on 20 June 2012 in central London. BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, GCSE Business, AQA GCSE Business, Edexcel GCSE Business, OCR GCSE Business, BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Business, BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business, TEACHING BUSINESS, Starters & Plenaries, 2012-01-13T10:29:39+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/gcse-business-controlled-assessment-cpd-2012 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/gcse-business-controlled-assessment-cpd-2012#When:07:50:28Z A date for your diaries in April 2012 if you teach AQA or Edexcel GCSE Business Studies.  We are running CPD days in Manchester (19 April 2012) and London (20 April 2012) to support teachers preparing and supervising their GCSE Business students as they tackle the 2012 controlled assessment tasks. A separate course is being run for both the 2012 AQA and Edexcel controlled assessments.  Each course will run from 10.30 a.m. until 2.30 p.m. including lunch. Places on the courses will be limited, so please make a provisional booking as soon as possible.  Places can be booked online here: https://tutor2u.wufoo.com/forms/gcse-business-controlled-assessment-support-cpd/ EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, GCSE Business, AQA GCSE Business, Edexcel GCSE Business, TEACHING BUSINESS, 2012-01-13T07:50:28+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/dragons-den-the-board-game http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/dragons-den-the-board-game#When:10:49:37Z How many Business teachers and students received this as a Christmas present? Certainly one student in my family did, and having tested it out the other evening, we found it quick to get into, good fun and quite competitive. Players take the role of Dragons, with a pile of cash to invest and several hundred cards with (rather brief) outlines of business ideas being pitched for investment. All the business ideas are, apparently, genuine; some you will recognise as having become big successes, some you may remember from the TV programme, some are very obscure. You have the chance to bet on the outcome of each, and the winner is simply the Dragon with the most money left at the end. After a couple of rounds we got into some wild all-or-nothing investments - some of which actually paid off! My next investment plan is to buy this for the classroom; it only needs half an hour or so to play it, and will be worth having for those lessons which need some light relief! Buy the Dragons Den board game from Amazon BUSINESS THEMES, Enterprise and Startups, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, GCSE Business, TEACHING BUSINESS, 2012-01-02T10:49:37+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/critical-path-analysis http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/critical-path-analysis#When:07:20:19Z CPA is probably my favourite topic to teach. I love it. This idea is not a magic bullet, but is a way to make it slightly easier. Who came up with this idea? One of my students…. BUSINESS THEMES, Operations Management, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS3, TEACHING BUSINESS, 2012-01-02T07:20:19+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/btnc-etnc-2012-dates-announced http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/btnc-etnc-2012-dates-announced#When:12:54:34Z At the start of a new year, here are some essential details for your new diaries - the dates and the initial speaker bookings for our flagship CPD conferences in 2012 - the Economics Teacher National Conference (ETNC 2012) and the Business Teacher National Conference (BTNC 2012). Both events will be held at the British Library Conference Auditorium at St Pancras, on the following dates: ETNC 2012 - Wednesday 27 June 2012 BTNC 2012 - Thursday 28 June 2012 These events take place on what will be a special anniversary for tutor2u.  Geoff and I set tutor2u up on 2 July 2002, so we’ll be celebrating 10 years of being part of the Economics & Business teaching community.  Our intention is to make both conferences as good as ever - we’re starting the process now of inviting a fantastic line-up of speakers and sessions which we hope will provide a wonderful end to the next academic year. Bookings can now be placed for both conferences.  In response to requests from colleagues, we’ve tweaked the conference pricing to make it even better value for two or more colleagues to attend.  The single delegate rate is £175; the departmental deal now applies to any group of two or more colleagues, each of whom may attend of just £125.  As you may be aware, the “early-bird” rate for a competitor event is £239, so we’re delighted to once again offer a much better programme at a substantially lower price! There is a limit of 200 places at each conference, so please make your departmental booking as early as possible (on a provisional basis) to ensure that you are able to join us.  Links to the online booking forms are below: http://tutor2u.wufoo.com/forms/business-teacher-national-conf-2012-booking-form/ http://tutor2u.wufoo.com/forms/economics-teacher-national-conf-2012-booking-form/ A printable booking form can be downloaded from here TEACHING BUSINESS, 2012-01-01T12:54:34+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/business-people-in-the-news-quiz-2011-edition http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/business-people-in-the-news-quiz-2011-edition#When:11:13:05Z Here is a ten question picture quiz on some of the personalities who have made the business news headline during 2011. How many can you get first time? When you get the questions right - how fast can you speed down the powerboat river? TEACHING BUSINESS, Biz Quiz, Business Quizzes, 2011-12-30T11:13:05+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss1-key-revision-terms-quiz http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss1-key-revision-terms-quiz#When:17:04:33Z Here is a fifteen question revision quiz covering some key terms for the BUSS1 exam. For each question type in the correct answer - each question shows the number of letters required in the correct term! Good luck! EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS1, TEACHING BUSINESS, ICT in the Business Classroom, Business Quizzes, 2011-12-29T17:04:33+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss3-quiz-on-human-resource-strategies http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss3-quiz-on-human-resource-strategies#When:14:13:28Z Here is a ten question revision multiple choice quiz on some key terms in BUSS3 Human Resource Strategies created using Zondle BUSINESS THEMES, Human Resource Management, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS3, TEACHING BUSINESS, Business Quizzes, 2011-12-28T14:13:28+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/investment-in-people-google-and-human-capital http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/investment-in-people-google-and-human-capital#When:04:35:32Z Here is a link to a recent article on Google’s approach to investment in people. Written from a Google perspective inevitably there are none of the criticisms that others have made of human resource management in the Googleplexes around the world. However, the article is useful in explaining the huge emphasis that Google places on being transparent with their workforce and in giving employees freedom, autonomy and purposes in their jobs. I am sure A2 students will be able to draw some useful insights from reading through it. BUSINESS THEMES, Change Management, Leadership & Culture, Human Resource Management, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS4, Edexcel Unit 4a, TEACHING BUSINESS, 2011-12-27T04:35:32+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss3-quiz-on-financial-strategies-and-accounts http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/buss3-quiz-on-financial-strategies-and-accounts#When:13:53:17Z Here is a ten question “type the answer” quiz covering ten key concepts in BUSS3 financial strategies and accounts created using Zondle. BUSINESS THEMES, Finance & Accounting, EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, AQA BUSS3, TEACHING BUSINESS, ICT in the Business Classroom, Digital Learning, Business Quizzes, 2011-12-26T13:53:17+00:00 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/business-cafe-christmas-2011 http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/business-cafe-christmas-2011#When:09:10:45Z The Christmas 2011 edition of Business Cafe - our digital learning resource for all Level 2 and Level 3 business courses, is now available to subscribing schools and colleges.  Details of the new articles and case studies in this edition are summarised below. EXAM BOARD SUPPORT, AS & A2 Business, GCSE Business, BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Business, BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business, TEACHING BUSINESS, Starters & Plenaries, 2011-12-20T09:10:45+00:00